CURTAIN RUNG DOWN ON FAMOUS CASE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 342, 28 August 1933, Page 2

CURTAIN RUNG DOWN ON FAMOUS CASE

Echo of Murder Charge Solicitor Struck Off Rolls ALLEGED CONSPIRACY With the granting of probate in Sydney on August 14 of the will of the late George Dean, the curtain was rung down on one of the most famous cases in the history of New South Wales—the Dean case. Dean, who was the central figure in that case, left an estate valued at £2223 wholly to his daughter, Florence, in a will of six lines. He died, aged 65, on May 7 last at Hay, New South Wales.

Dean was arrested in March, 1895, and sentenced to death on a charge of having administered poison to his wife with intent to murder. He had been defended by the late Mr. R. D. Meagher, then in partnership with the late Mr. W. P. Crick. Mr. Crick brought the case before Parliament and Mr. Meagher interviewed Dean in gaol and secured a confession of his guilt. When he saw Mr. Crick he said that Dean was innocent. A Royal commission recommended Dean’s release and he was granted a Royal pardon.

Later a statement was laid on the table of the House, in which the late Sir Julian Salomons, K.C., said that Mr. Meagher - , in consultation, had admitted securing a confession from Dean. That Mr. Meagher denied. Mr. Crick, Mr. Meagher and Dean were arrested, the last two being found guilty of conspiracy by a jury. On appeal to the Full Court the conviction was quashed. Mr. Meagher’s name was removed from the roll of solicitors for his association with the case. In 1896 Dean was sentenced to 14 years’ penal servitude, after having being found guilty on a charge of endeavouring to procure his acquittal of an offence punishable with death by wilfully swearing that ho had not purchased or used any poison.